Beth Stultz, marketing manager at Pet Sitters International, offers tips for using Facebook to promote pet-sitting businesses.

1. PSI NewS
Column
Guest
Don't Spend an Arm and
a Leg on Marketing─
Just Use Your Face(book)
T
he 2011 Social Media Mar- foster relationships with other local
keting Industry Report, au- pet-related businesses.
thored by Michael Stelzner,
offered up some great news Here are just a few examples of PSI
for small business owners pet sitters promoting their services
like you. The study found that small on Facebook. Check out their pages
and self-owned business owners and see how they are putting the
using social media benefitted more free online marketing opportunities of
by Beth Stultz, than larger companies and gained Facebook to work for their businesses.
increased exposure, higher sales and
PSI Marketing Manager
decreased marketing budgets through Kyla Culbert, owner of Bark Ave-
social media participation. nue Pet Taxi and Sitter Service LLC
PSI member since 2009
In the March/April issue, we dis- https://www.facebook.com/For-
cussed Facebook upgrades that of- PetsAndPetLoversOnTheGo
fer you more opportunities
to promote your pet-sitting
business through Face-
book business pages.
“
Since that time, numerous
PSI members have con-
...numerous PSI tacted us with examples
members have of how promoting their
services on Facebook—at
contacted us no cost—is helping their
businesses grow.
with examples of
how promoting PSI’s recent State of the
Industry Survey found that
their services on nearly 70% of PSI mem-
Facebook─at no
cost─is helping their
“ bers are currently using or
plan to use social media
to promote their pet-sit-
ting businesses. Of these
businesses grow. members, 96% are most
interested in Facebook—
and for good reason. The
site offers an easy and
free way to communicate
with current and potential You’ll see Kyla has personalized her
clients, promote your services and page’s URL (Facebook allows you
44 The WORLD

2. to select a custom username a guy who was reluctant to
for your page once you have try it a year ago.”
at least 25 fans) and includes
a great mix of photos, links Cara and Gerard Armour,
and tips on her page. She also owners of Active Paws
includes a “call to action”—Like PSI member since 2004
us on Facebook—in all of her http://www.facebook.
outgoing business e-mails. com/activepaws
Integrating her Facebook link
into other communications en- Notice how Active Paws
courages current and potential has set the default land-
clients to keep in touch through ing page for non-fans to a
social media. custom page that encour-
ages visitors to join the
Jay and Jill Pattiz, owners Active Paws mailing list.
of Pampered Pet Sitting In the “edit page” options,
PSI members since 1997 you can select your default
https://www.facebook.com/ landing page to a page
pamperedpetsitting tab other than your wall.
If you do not have a
custom tab, such as
Active Paws, con-
sider making the Info
tab the landing page
so that all visitors
see your company
information and con-
tact information first
thing.
Kimberly Waite-
Williams, owner
of The Pet Elf
PSI member since
2000
https://www.face-
book.com/PetElf
K i m b e r l y Wa i t e -
Williams believes
Facebook is a must
for promoting The
Pet Elf. To avoid
having to spend too
Pampered Pet Sitting created much time “live” on the
a Facebook fan page on April site checking her page,
1 and received 25 likes in less she has set her Facebook
than six days. In comparing settings to send an e-mail section, which includes a great
low-cost marketing ideas, Jay alert whenever someone posts or mix of photo albums that feature
Pattiz said, “I’m convinced so- comments on her page. You’ll see clients’ pets, as well as photos
cial media may be leading the she also does a great job of promot- that highlight The Pet Elf’s com-
way—quite a turn around from ing The Pet Elf through her photos munity involvement.
(continued)
July/August 2011 45

3. Market My Words (continued)
Tracey Zysk, Your next wall post is only a click away!
owner of Wig- Are you ever at a loss for what to share on your
gles & Jiggles Facebook business page? Never fear! PSI is com-
Pet Care mitted to providing you with helpful pet-care infor-
PSI member mation that you can easily share with clients—on
since 2009 and off-line.
https://www.
facebook. Next time you are looking for a quick post for
com/wiggles- your page, check here:
jigglespet- 1. PSI’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/
care petsittersinternational. Using Facebook as your
business page, simply click the “Share” button
Tracey Zysk below any of PSI’s Facebook posts to share the
says that cre- article, link or tip on your business page.
ating a Face-
book page for 2. PSI’s Resource Library. Visit Petsit.com to
her pet-sitting explore the Resource Library to access article
service was links you can post to your page. Whether you
the best thing want hot weather tips, dog behavior information
she did for her business. She’s gained several new clients from or cat litter advice to share, you’ll find it in the
her page. A quick look at the wall of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care’s Resource Library.
Facebook page shows what a great job Tracey does of providing
useful information to local pet owners and highlighting local pet 3. PSI’s Weekly News Brief. This weekly e-mail
resources. Her May 2011 posts regarding evacuation plans and should arrive in your inbox every Thursday
weather updates during a tornado watch in New England were morning. It features the perfect mix of busi-
timely and valuable to her page visitors. ness tips for you and pet information to use
and share with your clients. Find an interesting
Already on Facebook? We want to hear about the results of article you want to share on your page? Sim-
your social media efforts. E-mail your comments, feedback or ply copy and paste the link to your Facebook
questions to beth@petsit.com. page’s wall.
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46 The WORLD